M6 lorry fire near Birmingham Airport causes delays

A major lorry fire on the M6 motorway near Birmingham Airport caused severe disruption across the West Midlands on Friday, August 7, 2026, creating extensive delays for morning and afternoon commuters and affecting airport travel. The incident, which occurred on the northbound carriageway, led to significant lane closures, congestion stretching for miles, and travel warnings for passengers heading to the airport.

The fire broke out in the morning between junctions 4 and 6, with the most precise location cited as between junction 4A for the M42 and junction 5 for Castle Bromwich. Dramatic images showed plumes of smoke rising from the vehicle, which was reported to have been fully engulfed and destroyed. Emergency services, including West Midlands Fire Service, attended the scene. Officials confirmed there were no casualties or injuries resulting from the blaze.

The incident caused major traffic problems throughout the day. At its peak, delays reached 90 minutes on the approach, with congestion backing up for approximately nine miles. Initially, all traffic was stopped, and later, two of the four northbound lanes remained closed due to damage to the road surface. National Highways...